The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport. The ATSB is Australia's prime agency for the independent investigation of civil aviation, rail and maritime accidents, incidents and safety deficiencies.

The management company of the Spirit of Tasmania II has implemented a raft of changes in response to an ATSB investigation MO-2016-001 into a mooring incident at Station Pier, Melbourne, in January 2016.

On 9 January 2015, a Regional Express operated SAAB 340B aircraft, struck a flock of birds during its landing roll at Moruya, NSW. Inspection of the aircraft by the flight crew found no visually identifiable damage. The crew continued their schedule to Merimbula, NSW. At Merimbula, the first officer noticed the tip of one propeller blade was missing, and the aircraft was subsequently grounded.

The need for the early detection, assessment and effective management of track defects are the key safety messages coming out of the final report into the derailment of an empty bulk ore carrier, train ND 575, on the Hamersley Railway east mainline, in Western Australia.

The ATSB has released its preliminary investigation report into the in-flight breakup of a Cessna 201. The fatal accident occurred about 22 km east of Darwin in October of this year. The investigation is continuing.

During final approach to Middlemount Airport, Queensland on 8 August 2017, a JetGo Australia registered Embraer ERJ-135 descended below the desired approach path and landed prior to the selected aim point, with its main landing gear tyres colliding with two runway threshold lights just before landing. There was no damage to the aircraft or injuries from the incident.

On 17 June 2016, a Boeing 737-376, VH-XMO, flew below the minimum sector altitude following a missed approach that was conducted due to poor weather conditions. The ATSB found there was confusion as to how the aircraft was to be manoeuvred on completion of the missed approach.

The flight was tracking via the SAVER 1A STAR for runway 01 and the flight crew were cleared to descend to 3,000 ft. Shortly after the aircraft was observed to have descended to 2,500 ft. The flight crew were alerted to the error, but the aircraft continued descent to about 2,000 ft.

On 15 May 2017 an Airbus A319, VH-VCJ commenced its approach to runway 16 at Melbourne Airport. The ATSB found that, while experiencing rapid and unexpected increase in thrust, the pilot likely experienced pitch-up illusions leading to a rapidly increasing airspeed and high rate of descent, and subsequent Terrain Avoidance and Warning System (TAWS) alerts.

On 30 September 2017, at about 0025 Eastern Standard Time, the Australian Border Force cutter Roebuck Bay (ABFC Roebuck Bay) grounded on Henry Reef in the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. The cutter sustained significant damage to the keel, stabiliser fins and propellers, with water ingress in the forward and freshwater void spaces.

During approach to runway 35, the aircraft encountered windshear. The aircraft landed hard, and the tail skid and underside of the rear fuselage contacted the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. There were no reported injuries.

Recorded data captured the incident approach, along with three previous approaches, conducted by VH-MQI to runway 10 during earlier flights to Djamardi. The data shows that on the incident approach, the aircraft turned onto the base leg of the circuit earlier than these three previous approaches.

The flight crew had earlier completed uneventful sectors from Sydney to the Gold Coast, Queensland, and return. As part of that preparation, the flight crew reviewed the operational flight plan (OFP) for the sector. The OFP was produced by the operator’s Operations Control Centre. That OFP contained significant errors in the aircraft weights.

The ATSB deployed a team of two Transport Safety Investigators to the accident site with expertise that includes aircraft operations, engineering and maintenance. While on site, the team will examine the wreckage, gather any recorded data, and interview witnesses.

The instructor noticed a ‘surging’ sound and feel on initial climb towards the end of the runway and felt as though the engine had lost a significant amount of power. With no visible forced landing options in the immediate area, the instructor attempted to land on the reciprocal take-off runway.

To minimise risk, rail transport operators must ensure systems for safe work on track encourage workers accessing the rail corridor to communicate sufficient information to validate their worksite location, the adequacy of the protections in place, and their positioning in relation to any approaching train movements

The ATSB deployed a team of four investigators to the accident site with expertise that includes aircraft operations, engineering and maintenance. While on site, the team will be examining the site and wreckage, gathering any recorded data, and interviewing any witnesses.

This accident has emphasised the adverse consequences of aircraft configuration on performance with one-engine inoperative, particularly when at low altitudes. It reinforced the importance of pilots remaining well versed in engine failure response procedures and being aware of the drag penalties associated with varying configurations.

The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured. As part of the investigation, the Transport Safety Investigators will examine the site and wreckage, interview witnesses and gather available recorded data.

This investigation highlights that responding to an emergency in a timely and proficient manner can minimise the consequences of an accident. Similarly, providing emergency procedures briefings enables passengers to react appropriately in an emergency.

As the ship neared the eastern end of the South Channel, the rudder ceased responding to helm inputs and remained at 5° to port. The ship started swinging towards the edge of the channel. Despite the efforts of the pilot, the ship grounded.

Mariners need to consider the possibility of machinery failure as an ever-present hazard and have appropriate contingency plans in place including the potential use of the anchor, especially if it is prepared and ready.

The ATSB is investigating the collision with terrain of Diamond DA-40, registered VH-MPM, at Allenview, Queensland, on 26 September 2017. The ATSB has sent a team of investigators from Brisbane and Canberra to the site.

During winch training operations, the heave-in (Hi-line) weak link failed prematurely, resulting in the winch hook swinging up towards the main rotor disc. There were no injuries and the helicopter was not damaged.

The ATSB has identified differences in the approval process within CASA, between civil and military (including combined) displays and between Australia and other countries. The ATSB is continuing to analyse information to determine whether there are any systemic safety issues in relation to authorised air displays.

The aircraft was on a training flight with two people on board. During the flight, the engine failed and the crew conducted a forced landing. Upon landing, the aircraft contacted trees and was substantially damaged.

The post-incident inspection of the helicopter revealed the power turbine governor drive shaft had sheared. Further examination revealed that the governor spool bearing had failed and sheared the spool bearing guide post. This resulted in consequential damage to other parts within the governor and the failure of the drive shaft.

This incident highlights the importance of effective training and emergency procedures. Faced with an abnormal situation, the training provided to the flight crew ensured they were able to effectively implement the standard failure procedures, secure the failed engine and return for a safe landing.

The ATSB has released a Short Investigations Bulletin, covering the findings of a number of short aviation investigations and highlighting valuable safety lessons for pilots, operators and safety managers.

While the condition of the tyre and the exact fault with the flaps were unknown to the flight crew at the time of their decision-making, this occurrence highlights the importance of following failure management procedures.

Interviews and analysis of recorded flight data, indicated that the flight crew conducted an in-flight engine shutdown and returned to Perth. The shutdown engine continued to rotate in the airflow, resulting in ongoing airframe vibration.

On 29 May 2017 at about 2225, a suburban passenger train struck a protection officer at Petrie station, while he was implementing protection for a track closure on the recently opened Moreton Bay rail corridor. The protection officer received life threating injuries as a result of the accident and subsequently died later that evening. The investigation is continuing...

The ATSB is investigating the collision with terrain involving a Sling-4 Amateur Built Aircraft, VH-BEG, at Caloundra Airport, Queensland on 12 August 2017. Witnesses are requested to contact the ATSB.